Gombe mops 150,000 Almajirai into 676 non-formal centres
No fewer than 150,000 Almajirai have been enrolled through the establishment of 676 non-formal learning centres in the last two years in Gombe State.
Disclosing this at a stakeholders engagement meeting organised by Better Education Delivery for All (BESDA), on Thursday, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya said based on available data out of school children in the state is alarming, adding that educational infrastructure required immediate attention.
According to Yahaya, The establishment of non-formal learning centres through BESDA, have reduced the number of children involved in begging, stressing that the centres are aimed at introducing modern education into the Tsangaya curriculum, so that children would benefit from both educational systems.
He revealed that the main objective of the stakeholders meeting is to equip and improve the capacity of Alarammas (Islamic teachers) to meet the teaching needs of the 21st century.
Yahaya said, “We are here today to discuss better ways of improving the Tsangaya education system in our dear state. Many Muslim countries like Morocco, Sudan, Indonesia have done very well in upgrading the Tsangaya system and making it fit into the requirements of our time.
“The Tsangaya Education Program is one of the initiatives of the Federal Government to address the problems of out-of-school children with the objectives of providing access and equity to Basic Education for all school age children.
“Our administration upon assuming office in 2019 immediately declared a state of emergency in the education sector and keyed into the World Bank-supported BESDA programme in order to bridge this gap in the State.
“BESDA has so far, succeeded in mopping up over 150,000 almajiris in Gombe State through the establishment of about 676 non-formal learning centres across the State over the last two years.”
While lauding the efforts of the teachers in entrenching Islam and quality education, Yahaya urged them to embrace government policies in improving the lot of their wards.
“I therefore wish to call on the Tsangaya School proprietors to continue to embrace Government policies and programmes aimed at developing the skills and capacity of their Almajiris so that they can contribute meaningfully towards societal development.
“At this juncture, let me commend our Ulamas for their contributions toward the propagation of Islam by establishing educational Institutions and other outreach activities. This has helped humanity tremendously,” Yahaya added.
